Lebanese Parliament speaker Nabih Berri called Wednesday for a special session on September 25 to elect a new president. "(Berri) called for a general assembly at 10:30 am (0730 GMT) on Tuesday September 25 in order to elect a new president of the republic," his spokesman told AFP.

Berri's declaration comes amid concerns of more divisions after statements by rival leaders raised fears of two governments and two presidents.

President Lahoud hailed Berri's call for a parliament session to choose a new head of state, saying it should be "a chance to reunite the Lebanese in order to allow the country to overcome the difficult circumstances that it is going through," the state news agency reported.

If the necessary two-thirds majority quorum -- at least 86 members present in the 128-seat parliament -- is not guaranteed on September 25, Berri will have to call for another session before Lahoud's term expires on November 24.

If Berri fails to call for another session, parliament can meet 10 days before the end of Lahoud's mandate - on November 14 - to elect a new president. "We hope that you attend the session," Berri told MPs in the official invitation, his spokesman said, according to AFP.